The Agribusiness project is aimed at identifying and incubating subsistence farmers, helping them transition to small scale farming by first improving their traditional farming techniques. The Agri-Business project was established in Noodsberg, North of KwaZulu-Natal. It is focused on identifying and incubating subsistence farmers by helping them transition to small scale farming. On our first encounter with the farmers in 2017, they shared their challenges with the team. Who then conducted a deep needs assessment to determine the roots of the challenges? The exercise revealed that in these parts of rural KZN, the communities are struggling with poor soil quality, fluctuating weather patterns and long-distance travel to the market to buy seedlings.
The cost of fertilizers also hampered their harvest. Due to the climate in these areas, they could not grow some products (e.g. tomatoes, lettuce, etc.) all year round. The team designed a greenhouse by utilizing recycled 2-litre plastic bottles and incorporated vertical farming structures inside these greenhouses which allows for reduced water to be used for watering the crops. The team also taught the farmers to concentrate on growing greenhouses seedlings and ensuring that seedlings are stronger before planting them on the fields. To improve the soil quality, the farmers were taught how to make and use bio compost.
The team-taught farmers the agricultural method, crop maximization pricing and train the trainer. Also, about the value of organic farming as this is their competitive advantage when selling into the market.